Russell recommends city service cuts; Bowles suggests pay cuts

On Thursday, Augusta commissioners started the process of deciding on a budget for next year.

City Administrator Fred Russell is recommending big cuts in recreation, bus service, the sheriff's department and help for arts agencies.

He says the city will save $7 million.

It will ultimately be up to the commissioners to decide what to do. The next step will be a series of workshops to talk about what goes and what stays.

The final budget has to be ready later in the fall.

District 3 commissioner Joe Bowles sent a letter to Russell Friday. He says for the city to cut his pay by 15 percent immediately. He's also proposing a 10 percent pay cut for all the other commissioners.

Bowles says he's also turning in his city gas card and city issued cell phone. He's urging other commissioners to look at that too.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.